Ophthalmic laser treatment system and method

ABSTRACT

An ophthalmic laser treatment system and method providing for a liquid optical interface (LOI) with a patient eye surface (PES) using an elliptical ocular suction ring (OSR) is disclosed. A disposable ocular patient interface (OPI) provides for simultaneous differential vacuum mating of the PES, OSR, OPI, and an optical window retainer (OWR). The PES, OSR, OPI, and OWR form an enclosed volume in which liquid may be interjected to cover the PES during laser treatment. A vacuum suction pump (VSP) provides controlled vacuum to the OPI ensuring proper differential vacuum mating (DVM) between the PES, OSR, OPI, and OWR during laser treatment. The OWR connects to a laser objective bracket (LOB) via an ocular force sensor (OFS) and an optical separator bracket (OSB). The OFS senses applied pressure to the PES and provides data to a computerized control device (CCD) that limits applied pressure to the PES during laser treatment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of United States Utility Patent Application for OPTHALMIC LASER TREATMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD by inventors Ruth (nmn) Sahler, Raymond Kenneth Alley, and Josef F. Bille, filed with the USPTO on Feb. 22, 2017, with Ser. No. 15/439,768, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,219,948, which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 and incorporates by reference United States Provisional Patent Application for OPTHALMIC LASER TREATMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD by inventors Ruth (nmn) Sahler, Raymond Kenneth Alley, and Josef F. Bille, filed with the USPTO on Feb. 24, 2016, with Ser. No. 62/299,425, confirmation number 1750.

PARTIAL WAIVER OF COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for performing laser ophthalmic surgery and specifically relates to the generation of a liquid optical interface (LOI) with a patient eye surface (PES) using an elliptical ocular suction ring (OSR).

PRIOR ART AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Overview

Existing liquid patient interfaces (LPI) for use in ophthalmic laser surgery are designed with a circular end piece which connects to the patient eye surface (PES). The diameter of the circular attachment normally ranges between 18 mm to 24 mm. This design creates uneven pressure along a small attachment area on the PES. The circular design creates issues for patients having limited cornea exposure due to a small eyelid opening and require the application of an eyelid speculum during patient ophthalmic laser treatment.

For example, Patent Application Publication US20110022035 for a LIQUID HOLDING INTERFACE DEVICE FOR OPHTHALMIC LASER PROCEDURES discloses a ring shaped patient interface design. Neither reduction of eye movement nor patient comfort is a concern of existing liquid patient interfaces.

Deficiencies in the Prior Art

The prior art as detailed above suffers from the following deficiencies:

-   -   Prior art ophthalmic laser treatment systems and methods limit         the LPI to a circular shaped end-piece connected to the PES,         which excludes use for a large number of patients.     -   Prior art ophthalmic laser treatment systems and methods provide         for PES motion stabilization but still allows saccadic eye         movements to affect the target area on the PES. Saccadic eye         movements constitute a quick, simultaneous movement of both eyes         between two phases of fixation in the same direction.     -   Prior art ophthalmic laser treatment systems and methods provide         for an interface in which the pressure is uneven along the edges         of the attachment to the eye.     -   Prior art ophthalmic laser treatment systems and methods provide         for a narrow band of attachment which creates discomfort for the         patient during laser treatment.     -   Prior art ophthalmic laser treatment systems and methods provide         for a PES interface in which suction is applied to only one area         of the PES.

While some of the prior art may teach some solutions to several of these problems, the core issue of providing a comfortable and effective universal LPI for use in ophthalmic laser procedures has not been solved by the prior art.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the objectives of the present invention are (among others) to circumvent the deficiencies in the prior art and affect the following objectives in the context of an ophthalmic laser treatment system and method:

-   -   (1) Provide for an ophthalmic laser treatment system and method         that allows greater patient comfort during ophthalmic laser         treatment;     -   (2) Provide for an ophthalmic laser treatment system and method         that reduces surface pressure to the PES during ophthalmic laser         treatment;     -   (3) Provide for an ophthalmic laser treatment system and method         that provides for greater PES stability during ophthalmic laser         treatment;     -   (4) Provide for an ophthalmic laser treatment system and method         that accommodates a wide variety of patient eye sizes;     -   (5) Provide for an ophthalmic laser treatment system and method         that distributes contact pressure of the system over a wider         area of the PES;     -   (6) Provide for an ophthalmic laser treatment system and method         that provides for controlled liquid coverage of the PES during         ophthalmic laser treatment;     -   (7) Provide for an ophthalmic laser treatment system and method         that provides for application of controlled pressure to the PES         during ophthalmic laser treatment to reduce the instances of PES         damage due to corneal folds;     -   (8) Provide for an ophthalmic laser treatment system and method         that minimizes the effect of saccadic eye movements during         ophthalmic laser treatment;     -   (9) Provide for an ophthalmic laser treatment system and method         that provides precise and stable docking to a wide range of PES         surface forms;     -   (10) Provide for an ophthalmic laser treatment system and method         that provides for reduced likelihood of hemorrhaging and corneal         folds (edema) by controlled application of pressure to the PES         during ophthalmic laser treatment.

While these objectives should not be understood to limit the teachings of the present invention, in general these objectives are achieved in part, or in whole, by the disclosed invention that is discussed in the following sections. One skilled in the art will no doubt be able to select aspects of the present invention as disclosed to affect any combination of the objectives described above.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a liquid patient interface (LPI) for the use in ophthalmic laser surgery. The LPI attaches to the patient eye surface (PES) and allows the physician to perform procedures on various portions of the interior of the eye (e.g., cornea, lens, and retina). The benefits of the present invention LPI are as follows:

-   -   (1) the LPI connects with a larger surface area of the PES by         using a unique design of the inner and outer PES contacts in a         novel optical suction ring (OSR);     -   (2) the OSR is designed with an elliptical shape designed to         optimally contact the PES for patients having narrow eyelids and         smaller amounts of exposed eye surface;     -   (3) the LPI minimizes PES force by using an interior suction         region (ISR) between two OSR elliptical interface contacts;     -   (4) radial ribs in the OSR connect the inner and outer rings of         the OSR and are configured to contact the PES and evenly         distribute suction pressure to the PES;     -   (5) the consistent pressure throughout the entire OSR and the         greater surface area reduce saccadic eye movement during laser         treatment;     -   (6) the elliptical shape, the lower pressure, and homogenous         application of pressure provides for greater patient comfort         during the ophthalmic laser procedure;     -   (7) the LPI utilizes a disposable ocular patient interface (OPI)         vacuum docking system to mate one-time-use components such as         the OSR and multi-time-use components of the system such as the         laser electronics, thus providing for the sterilization of         instruments that contact the PES;     -   (8) the OPI provides for differential vacuum mating (DVM)         between the OPI and the OSR as well as between the OPI and         multi-time-use portions of the system, thus providing for         controlled vacuum force to be applied to the PES;     -   (9) the OPI provides for a liquid injection port (LIP) that         allows the PES to be covered with fluid and also provides for         liquid overflow chambers (LOC) and liquid overflow ports (LOP)         to regulate the fluid level covering the PES during the laser         treatment procedure; and     -   (10) the system supports an ocular force sensor (OFS) that         permits pressure applied to the PES to be controlled during the         laser treatment procedure, thus reducing the chance of damage to         the PES and potential corneal folds.         The invention in some embodiments may also be augmented with a         computing control device (CCD) to monitor ocular force/pressure,         OSR suction vacuum, and position of the laser radiation source         (LRS) during the ophthalmic laser treatment procedure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the advantages provided by the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of several major components of a preferred exemplary invention LPI embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart depicting a preferred exemplary invention method embodiment (page 1/2);

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart depicting a preferred exemplary invention method embodiment (page 2/2);

FIG. 5 illustrates a top right front perspective view of a preferred exemplary invention LPI system embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top right rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary invention LPI system embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top left rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary invention LPI system embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a top left front perspective view of a preferred exemplary invention LPI system embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom right front perspective view of a preferred exemplary invention LPI system embodiment;

FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom right rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary invention LPI system embodiment;

FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom left rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary invention LPI system embodiment;

FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom left front perspective view of a preferred exemplary invention LPI system embodiment;

FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of a preferred exemplary invention LPI system embodiment with OFS electronics depicted;

FIG. 14 illustrates a rear view of a preferred exemplary invention LPI system embodiment with OFS electronics depicted;

FIG. 15 illustrates a right side view of a preferred exemplary invention LPI system embodiment with OFS electronics omitted;

FIG. 16 illustrates a bottom view of a preferred exemplary invention LPI system embodiment with OFS electronics omitted;

FIG. 17 illustrates a top right front perspective assembly view of a preferred exemplary invention optical path LPI embodiment;

FIG. 18 illustrates a top right front perspective right section assembly view of a preferred exemplary invention optical path LPI embodiment;

FIG. 19 illustrates a top left front perspective assembly view of a preferred exemplary invention optical path LPI embodiment;

FIG. 20 illustrates a top left front perspective left section assembly view of a preferred exemplary invention optical path LPI embodiment;

FIG. 21 illustrates a top right front perspective right section detail view of a preferred exemplary invention embodiment depicting typical mating between OWR, OPI, OSR, and PES;

FIG. 22 illustrates a right section detail view of a preferred exemplary invention embodiment depicting typical mating between OWR, OPI, OSR, and PES;

FIG. 23 illustrates a top right front perspective top section detail view of a preferred exemplary invention embodiment depicting typical mating between OWR, OPI, OSR, and PES;

FIG. 24 illustrates a top section detail view of a preferred exemplary invention embodiment depicting typical mating between OWR, OPI, OSR, and PES;

FIG. 25 illustrates a schematic depicting an exemplary VSP implementation useful in many preferred invention embodiments;

FIG. 26 illustrates a top right front perspective view of a preferred exemplary VSP control fixture useful in many preferred invention embodiments;

FIG. 27 illustrates a top left rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary VSP control fixture (with cover removed) useful in many preferred invention embodiments;

FIG. 28 illustrates a front view of a preferred exemplary VSP control fixture useful in many preferred invention embodiments;

FIG. 29 illustrates a top view of a preferred exemplary VSP control fixture (with cover removed) useful in many preferred invention embodiments;

FIG. 30 illustrates a typical physical configuration of a vacuum pump suitable for use with the present invention;

FIG. 31 illustrates typical vacuum pump performance characteristics that are suitable for implementing the present invention;

FIG. 32 illustrates typical vacuum pump performance characteristics that are suitable for implementing the present invention;

FIG. 33 illustrates a top right front perspective view of a preferred exemplary laser objective bracket (LOB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 34 illustrates a top right rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary laser objective bracket (LOB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 35 illustrates a top left rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary laser objective bracket (LOB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 36 illustrates a top left front perspective view of a preferred exemplary laser objective bracket (LOB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 37 illustrates a bottom right front perspective view of a preferred exemplary laser objective bracket (LOB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 38 illustrates a bottom right rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary laser objective bracket (LOB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 39 illustrates a bottom left rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary laser objective bracket (LOB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 40 illustrates a bottom left front perspective view of a preferred exemplary laser objective bracket (LOB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 41 illustrates a front view of a preferred exemplary laser objective bracket (LOB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 42 illustrates a rear view of a preferred exemplary laser objective bracket (LOB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 43 illustrates a left view of a preferred exemplary laser objective bracket (LOB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 44 illustrates a right view of a preferred exemplary laser objective bracket (LOB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 45 illustrates a top view of a preferred exemplary laser objective bracket (LOB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 46 illustrates a bottom view of a preferred exemplary laser objective bracket (LOB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 47 illustrates a right section perspective view of a preferred exemplary laser objective bracket (LOB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 48 illustrates a front section perspective view of a preferred exemplary laser objective bracket (LOB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 49 illustrates a top right front perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular force sensor (OFS) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 50 illustrates a top right rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular force sensor (OFS) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 51 illustrates a top left rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular force sensor (OFS) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 52 illustrates a top left front perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular force sensor (OFS) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 53 illustrates a bottom right front perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular force sensor (OFS) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 54 illustrates a bottom right rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular force sensor (OFS) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 55 illustrates a bottom left rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular force sensor (OFS) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 56 illustrates a bottom left front perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular force sensor (OFS) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 57 illustrates a front view of a preferred exemplary ocular force sensor (OFS) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 58 illustrates a rear view of a preferred exemplary ocular force sensor (OFS) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 59 illustrates a left view of a preferred exemplary ocular force sensor (OFS) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 60 illustrates a right view of a preferred exemplary ocular force sensor (OFS) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 61 illustrates a top view of a preferred exemplary ocular force sensor (OFS) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 62 illustrates a bottom view of a preferred exemplary ocular force sensor (OFS) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 63 illustrates a right section perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular force sensor (OFS) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 64 illustrates a top section perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular force sensor (OFS) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 65 illustrates a top right front perspective view of a preferred exemplary optical separator bracket (OSB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 66 illustrates a top right rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary optical separator bracket (OSB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 67 illustrates a top left rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary optical separator bracket (OSB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 68 illustrates a top left front perspective view of a preferred exemplary optical separator bracket (OSB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 69 illustrates a bottom right front perspective view of a preferred exemplary optical separator bracket (OSB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 70 illustrates a bottom right rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary optical separator bracket (OSB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 71 illustrates a bottom left rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary optical separator bracket (OSB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 72 illustrates a bottom left front perspective view of a preferred exemplary optical separator bracket (OSB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 73 illustrates a front view of a preferred exemplary optical separator bracket (OSB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 74 illustrates a rear view of a preferred exemplary optical separator bracket (OSB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 75 illustrates a left view of a preferred exemplary optical separator bracket (OSB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 76 illustrates a right view of a preferred exemplary optical separator bracket (OSB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 77 illustrates a top view of a preferred exemplary optical separator bracket (OSB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 78 illustrates a bottom view of a preferred exemplary optical separator bracket (OSB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 79 illustrates a right section perspective view of a preferred exemplary optical separator bracket (OSB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 80 illustrates a front section perspective view of a preferred exemplary optical separator bracket (OSB) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 81 illustrates a top right front perspective view of a preferred exemplary optical window retainer (OWR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 82 illustrates a top right rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary optical window retainer (OWR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 83 illustrates a top left rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary optical window retainer (OWR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 84 illustrates a top left front perspective view of a preferred exemplary optical window retainer (OWR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 85 illustrates a bottom right front perspective view of a preferred exemplary optical window retainer (OWR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 86 illustrates a bottom right rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary optical window retainer (OWR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 87 illustrates a bottom left rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary optical window retainer (OWR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 88 illustrates a bottom left front perspective view of a preferred exemplary optical window retainer (OWR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 89 illustrates a front view of a preferred exemplary optical window retainer (OWR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 90 illustrates a rear view of a preferred exemplary optical window retainer (OWR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 91 illustrates a left view of a preferred exemplary optical window retainer (OWR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 92 illustrates a right view of a preferred exemplary optical window retainer (OWR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 93 illustrates a top view of a preferred exemplary optical window retainer (OWR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 94 illustrates a bottom view of a preferred exemplary optical window retainer (OWR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 95 illustrates a right section perspective view of a preferred exemplary optical window retainer (OWR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 96 illustrates a top section perspective view of a preferred exemplary optical window retainer (OWR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 97 illustrates a top right front perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular patient interface (OPI) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 98 illustrates a top right rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular patient interface (OPI) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 99 illustrates a top left rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular patient interface (OPI) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 100 illustrates a top left front perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular patient interface (OPI) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 101 illustrates a bottom right front perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular patient interface (OPI) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 102 illustrates a bottom right rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular patient interface (OPI) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 103 illustrates a bottom left rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular patient interface (OPI) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 104 illustrates a bottom left front perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular patient interface (OPI) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 105 illustrates a front view of a preferred exemplary ocular patient interface (OPI) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 106 illustrates a rear view of a preferred exemplary ocular patient interface (OPI) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 107 illustrates a left view of a preferred exemplary ocular patient interface (OPI) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 108 illustrates a right view of a preferred exemplary ocular patient interface (OPI) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 109 illustrates a top view of a preferred exemplary ocular patient interface (OPI) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 110 illustrates a bottom view of a preferred exemplary ocular patient interface (OPI) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 111 illustrates a right section perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular patient interface (OPI) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 112 illustrates a top section perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular patient interface (OPI) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 113 illustrates a top right front perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular suction ring (OSR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 114 illustrates a top right rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular suction ring (OSR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 115 illustrates a top left rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular suction ring (OSR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 116 illustrates a top left front perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular suction ring (OSR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 117 illustrates a bottom right front perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular suction ring (OSR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 118 illustrates a bottom right rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular suction ring (OSR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 119 illustrates a bottom left rear perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular suction ring (OSR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 120 illustrates a bottom left front perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular suction ring (OSR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 121 illustrates a front view of a preferred exemplary ocular suction ring (OSR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 122 illustrates a rear view of a preferred exemplary ocular suction ring (OSR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 123 illustrates a left view of a preferred exemplary ocular suction ring (OSR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 124 illustrates a right view of a preferred exemplary ocular suction ring (OSR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 125 illustrates a top view of a preferred exemplary ocular suction ring (OSR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 126 illustrates a bottom view of a preferred exemplary ocular suction ring (OSR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations;

FIG. 127 illustrates a right section perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular suction ring (OSR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations; and

FIG. 128 illustrates a top section perspective view of a preferred exemplary ocular suction ring (OSR) embodiment useful in some invention configurations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detailed preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will be described with particular reference to the presently preferred embodiment, wherein these innovative teachings are advantageously applied to the particular problems of an OPHTHALMIC LASER TREATMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD. However, it should be understood that this embodiment is only one example of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily limit any of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others.

Ellipse Definition

The present invention makes use of an elliptical ocular suction ring (OSR) to make contact with the patient eye surface (PES). The term “ellipse” has the following mathematical definition:

-   -   In mathematics, an ellipse is a curve on a plane that surrounds         two focal points such that the sum of the distances to the two         focal points is constant for every point on the curve. As such,         it is a generalization of a circle, which is a special type of         an ellipse that has both focal points at the same location. The         shape of an ellipse (how ‘elongated’ it is) is represented by         its eccentricity, which for an ellipse can be any number from 0         (the limiting case of a circle) to arbitrarily close to but less         than 1.     -   Ellipses have two perpendicular axes about which the ellipse is         symmetric. These axes intersect at the center of the ellipse due         to this symmetry. The larger of these two axes, which         corresponds to the larger distance between antipodal points on         the ellipse, is called the major axis. The smaller of these two         axes, and the smaller distance between antipodal points on the         ellipse, is called the minor axis.

However, within the context of the present invention, the terms “ellipse” and “elliptical” shall be restricted to ellipses having an eccentricity greater than zero. In these situations the ellipse major axis has a greater length than the ellipse minor axis.

Mechanical Features Depicted are not Limiting

The present invention may incorporate a wide variety of mechanical features that may be implemented in a variety of different application contexts. The depictions provided herein are only exemplary of one preferred exemplary invention embodiment and do not limit the invention scope.

Overview

As generally depicted in FIG. 1 (0100) and FIG. 2 (0200), the present invention implements a liquid optical interface (LOI) useful in performing ocular laser treatment of a human eye. The LOI interface consists of assemblies that mate with a laser radiation source (LRS) and other assemblies that vacuum mate to a patient eye surface (PES).

One LRS assembly attaches to the laser's objective lens by use of a laser objective bracket (LOB). The LOB is connected to an optical force sensor (OFS) that is further connected to an optical window retainer (OWR) via an optical separator bracket (OSB). The OSB in conjunction with the OFS provides a mechanism to monitor pressure applied to the PES and thus prevent possible injury to the patient.

The OWR is configured to vacuum dock to an ocular patient interface (OPI) that mates with an ocular suction ring (OSR) that directly contacts the PES. Positive contact between the OSR and OPI is maintained by a secondary differential vacuum control supplied to the OPI and fed by the OPI to the OSR.

Once the OPI is vacuum docked to the OWR and PES, fluid may be injected into the OPI to cover the PES and provide a constant index of refraction by which ophthalmic laser treatment of the patient may be performed. A planar lens held in press-fit suspension by the OPI covers and makes contact with the injected liquid to provide a uniform plane by which laser radiation may enter the patient's eye.

The OSR and OPI may be mated using press-fit peripheral cylindrical ridges as shown herein or may be combined using any number of adhesives. Without adhesive, a light press fit and vacuum pressure holds the ring in place. The OSR and OPI are designed in this system to be disposable and therefore can be sterilized to prevent infection of the PES during the ophthalmic procedure.

The OPI comprises a number of vacuum and liquid chambers. A docking vacuum port (DVP) is connected to a vacuum source, which evacuates air from the periphery of the outer conical surface of the OPI and thus allow mating to the OWR to occur. A suction vacuum port (SVP) allows the ocular suction ring to firmly grip the PES. A liquid injection port provides a path for fluid which is used to fill a chamber between the cornea and lower surface of a liquid interface window (LIW). Once the fluid level reaches the underside of the LIW, additional fluid moves into reservoir channels contained in the OPI. In the very rare case of excess fluid injection, the fluid will exit drain windows in the OPI.

The system implements use of an elliptical shape in the ocular suction ring (OSR), which allows for greater suction area when compared to a purely circular suction ring. The OSR features two edges that come in direct contact with the eye and whose smoothness and geometry are critical for sealing. On the top surface of the OSR a mating surface is configured to affect mating to the OPI. In order to avoid using adhesive between the OSR and OPI, these mating surfaces must be accurate and smooth. Otherwise, adhesives such as silicone may be used to join the two components.

Other features of the OSR include one or more radial ribs that prevent the collapse of the suction ring chamber, distributes the pressure across a wider area of the PES and reduces sclera stress. Lastly, a vacuum channel in the OSR connects the OSR vacuum chamber to the OPI vacuum chamber SVP vacuum port.

Typical vacuum port nozzles in many preferred embodiments are designed for ⅛″ diameter silicone tubing. A fluid delivery port in many embodiments may utilize a 1/16″ fluid delivery nozzle. This may be designed for improved manufacturing of the OPI via the use of a press fit nozzle or an ultrasonically welded component made of a polymeric material.

Radial spacing of support ribs in the OSR is optimally placed in four circumferential locations. The OPI may be configured to allow a press fit of the LIW. The OPI may be configured with a cavity belonging to a series of overflow chambers that fill once the injected fluid reaches the underside of the LIW.

The OWR, OSB, and LOB are optimally constructed from aluminum and is used for docking and is designed to prevent movement of the OPI relative to the laser radiation source. Movement of the OPI may occur from patient eye movement or head movement.

Information on the dimensions of a typical human eye were used to create a 3D CAD model of the human eye, which in turn was utilized to create a Finite Element Model (FEM) for OSR contact analysis. An optimized elliptical suction ring design was obtained by performing a FEM simulation. The best design for the considered 23×19 mm eye interfacing ellipse was determined, which resulted in the lowest intraocular pressure (IOP) rise and the highest stiffness of the OSR. This optimized design reduces the chances of increased sclera stress that can lead to a higher likelihood of hemorrhaging and also decreases the chances of corneal compressive stress that may lead to corneal folds.

System Overview (0100)

The present invention may be summarized as depicted in the application context system block diagram of FIG. 1 (0100). Here the system is configured using a computing control device (CCD) (0101) executing machine instructions read from a tangible computer readable medium (0102). The system as depicted provides for a laser position arm (LPA) (0103) that positions a scanning laser source (SLS) (0104) and laser objective optics (LOO) (0105). The laser radiation source (LRS) comprising the major laser provisioning components (0103, 0104, 0105) interface to the remainder of components in the system (termed the liquid patient interface (LPI) (0190)) that will now be further described.

The laser objective bracket (LOB) (0110) mates with the laser provisioning components (0103, 0104, 0105) and is connected to an ocular force sensor (OFS) (0120) that measures pressure applied to the patient eye surface (PES) (0109) by the LPI (0190). The OFS (0120) is actuated by an optical separator bracket (OSB) (0130) that provides a leverage action between the OFS (0120) and an optical window retainer (OWR) (0140) that merges components associated with the PES (0109) interface. This leverage action permits pressure applied to the PES (0109) by the LPI (0190) to be reflected back to the OFS (0120) for reporting to the physician via the CCD (0101).

The OWR (0140) component is responsible for providing an interface between the sterile one-time-use environment interfacing with the PES (0109) and the multi-time-use environment of the laser provisioning components and ocular force sensing apparatus. The OWR (0140) provides for a conical mating interface to the disposable ocular patient interface (OPI) (0150). The OPI (0150) provides mechanical support to retain a liquid interface window (LIW) that faces an ocular suction ring (OSR) (0160) that makes physical contact with the patient eye surface (PES) (0109).

The OPI (0150) provides for a docking vacuum port (DVP), a suction vacuum port (SVP), and a liquid injection port (LIP). The DVP is connected to a void in the conical mating interface between the OWR (0140) and the OPI (0150) such that vacuum applied to the DVP forces a dynamic physical mate between the OWR (0140) and the OPI (0150). This allows the OPI (0150) and the OSR (0160) to mate with the PES (0109) and then subsequently dock with the OWR (0140). The suction vacuum port (SVP) on the OPI (0150) allows vacuum applied to the SVP to mate the OSR (0160) to the PES (0109). Vacuum sourced to the OPI (0150) may be supplied from a vacuum suction pump (VSP) (0170) controlled either manually or automatically by the CCD (0101).

The LIP on the OPI (0150) allows liquid to be inserted in the OPI to the surface of the LIW and thus provide a constant refractive index between the LRS and the PES (0109). This LIP on the OPI (0150) may include a variety of fluid delivery system (FDS) (0180) components including syringes, hoses, and automated fluid delivery systems under operational control of the CCD (0101).

Exemplary LPI Configuration (0200)

A perspective view of a preferred exemplary embodiment of optical components within the liquid patient interface (LPI) (0190) from FIG. 1 (0100) is generally depicted in FIG. 2 (0200). Here the laser objective bracket (LOB) (0210) is illustrated as mated to the ocular force sensor (OFS) (0220) along with force sensing electronics (0229) associated with the OFS (0220). The optical separator bracket (OSB) (0230) is illustrated connecting the OFS (0220) and the optical window retainer (OWR) (0240). The OWR (0240) is shown mated to the ocular patient interface (OPI) (0250). The OPI (0250) is illustrated mated to the ocular suction ring (OSR) (0260) which is contacting the patient eye surface (0209).

Method Overview (0300)-(0400)

Associated with the exemplary system overview described in FIG. 1 (0100)-FIG. 2 (0200) is an ophthalmic laser treatment method as depicted in FIG. 3 (0300)-FIG. 4 (0400) that comprises the following steps:

-   -   (1) Connecting a suction tube to the ocular patient interface         (OPI) assembly within the liquid patient interface (LPI) (0301);     -   (2) Setting vacuum pressure on a vacuum suction pump (VSP)         (0302);     -   (3) Activating the vacuum suction pump (VSP) to vacuum mate the         OSR to the PES (0303);     -   (4) Positioning the LPI assembly to mate the ocular suction ring         (OSR) onto the patient eye surface (PES) (0304);     -   (5) Docking the optical window retainer (OWR) to the OPI (0305);     -   (6) Activate the docking ring vacuum with the VSP (0306);     -   (7) Injecting a balanced liquid solution (BLS) into the liquid         injection port (LIP) of the OPI (0407);     -   (8) Performing laser surgery on the patient eye with the laser         positioned within the laser objective bracket (LOB) (0408);     -   (9) Dejecting the balanced liquid solution (BLS) using the         liquid injection port (LIP) of the OPI (0409);     -   (10) Opening the OPI vacuum relief valve (VRV) to disengage the         OWR from the OPI (0410);     -   (11) Opening the OSR vacuum relief valve (VRV) to disengage the         OSR from the PES (0411);     -   (12) Undocking the OWR from the OPI (0412); and     -   (13) Undocking the OSR from the PES (0413).         One skilled in the art will recognize that these method steps         may be augmented or rearranged without limiting the teachings of         the present invention. This general method summary may be         augmented by the various elements described herein to produce a         wide variety of invention embodiments consistent with this         overall design description.

Exemplary LPI System Configuration Views (0500)-(1600)

Various views of a preferred exemplary system configuration are depicted in FIG. 5 (0500)-FIG. 16 (1600) without the patient eye surface (PES) depicted in FIG. 2 (0200). Not shown in these LPI drawing views are details of the computing control device (CCD), laser objective optics (LOO), scanning laser source (SLS), laser position arm (LPA), vacuum suction pump (VSP), and fluid delivery system (FDS).

Exemplary LPI Optical Path (1700)-(2400)

Assembly views depicting a preferred invention LPI optical path are depicted in FIG. 17 (1700)-FIG. 24 (2400). These views depict several features of the preferred invention embodiment including the optical window retainer (OWR) (1740) (and associated vacuum sealing gasket (VSG) (1749) that mates with the ocular patient interface (OPI) (1750)), ocular patient interface (OPI) (1750) (including docking vacuum port (DVP) (1951), suction vacuum port (SVP) (1952), liquid injection port (LIP) (1953), and liquid interface window (LIW) (1759)), ocular suction ring (OSR) (1760), and a typical patient eye surface (PES) (1709).

Exemplary VSP (2500)-(2900)

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the vacuum suction pump (VSP) are depicted in FIG. 25 (2500)-FIG. 29 (2900).

FIG. 25 (2500) depicts a general schematic of the VSP. The VSP generally comprises a vacuum pump (2571) producing a vacuum source that is fed through a check valve (2572) connected to a vacuum reservoir (2573). The vacuum reservoir (2573) is monitored by a docking vacuum gauge (DVG) (2574) that supplies an ON/OFF valve (2575) that supplies vacuum to the DVP that affects mating between the OWR and the OPI.

The vacuum reservoir (2573) also supplies a pressure/vacuum regulator (2576) that supplies regulated vacuum monitored by a suction vacuum gauge (SVG) (2577) and which feeds an ON/OFF valve (2578) that supplies vacuum to the SVP that affects mating between the OSR and the PES.

As generally depicted in other drawings, the DVP (2451) feeds a vacuum docking void (VDV) (2456) between the conical mating surface (CMS) (2455) on the OPI (2450) and a corresponding vacuum mating surface (VMS) (2443) on the OWR (2440). Thus, when vacuum is provided to the DVP (2451) by the VSP, mating is activated between the OWR (2440) and the OPI (2450).

Similarly, the OPI (2450) contains a SVP vacuum port (2452) that connects with the OSR (2460) and allows a patient eye vacuum chamber (EVC) (2469) in the OSR (2460) to vacuum mate the OSR (2460) to the PES (2409) when vacuum is applied to the SVP (2452). The SVG in some configurations may be monitored by the CCD to ensure that suction pressure applied to the PES is maintained within acceptable limits.

FIG. 26 (2600)-FIG. 29 (2900) depict several views of a control box useful in implementing much of the functionality of the FIG. 25 (2500) schematic. This vacuum control system may be augmented with automated vacuum pressure measurement by the CCD as well as a variety of manual/automatic vacuum bleed-off valves depending on application context and degree of computerized automation.

Exemplary Vacuum Pump (3000)-(3200)

While many vacuum pumps may be suitable for use in implementing the present invention, VACUUBRAND® Model ME1 is a preferred vacuum source in many preferred invention embodiments. Typical vacuum performance characteristics from a suitable vacuum pump in this application are summarized in the following table:

Vacuum Pump Parameter Value Number of heads/stages 1 Maximum pumping speed at 50/60 Hz 0.7/0.85 m³/h 0.4/0.5 CFM Ultimate vacuum (absolute) 100 mbar 75 torr Ambient temperature range (operation) 10-40° C. Ambient temperature range (storage) −10-60° C. Maximum back pressure (absolute) 1.1 bar Rated motor speed at 50/60 Hz 1500/1800 rpm Rated motor power 0.04 kW Degree of protection IP 40 Noise level at 50 Hz 45 dBA Dimensions (L × W × H) 247 × 121 × 145 mm Weight 5.0 kg Vacuum regulation Via vacuum regulator valve (ME1 part number 696842)

A typical physical configuration of a vacuum pump suitable for use with the present invention is depicted in FIG. 29 (2900).

FIG. 31 (3100)-FIG. 32 (3200) depict typical vacuum pump performance characteristics that are suitable for implementing the present invention.

Exemplary Laser Objective Bracket (LOB) (3300)-(4800)

A preferred exemplary embodiment of a typical laser objective bracket (LOB) is generally depicted in the detail views presented in FIG. 33 (3300)-FIG. 48 (4800).

Exemplary Ocular Force Sensor (OFS) (4900)-(6400)

A preferred exemplary embodiment of a typical ocular force sensor (OFS) is generally depicted in the detail views presented in FIG. 49 (4900)-FIG. 64 (6400). Sensor electronics connecting to the CCD is not depicted in these diagrams. The pressure sensor depicted operates by deflecting a portion of the sensor body in response to torque applied by the LOB. Sensors on the OFS detect this torsional application of force and respond by sending differential analog signals to the sensor electronics for conversion to digital and transmission to the CCD.

While many ocular force sensors (OFS) may be used to implement the invention, many preferred exemplary invention embodiments may utilize a FUTEK ADVANCED SENSOR TECHNOLOGY, INC. (10 Thomas, Irvine Calif. 92618-2702—futek@futek.com/www.futek.com) Model LSM200 (FSH00064) pressure sensor. The model LSM200 is a Beam Load Cell (BLS) that offers a slim design with an side mounting feature making it ideal for use as the OFS in many present invention embodiments. Utilized in both Tension and Compression, this particular BLS has a length of 1.75″, width of 0.38″ and a height of 0.36″. The LSM200 is configured in 2024 Aluminum (10 lb) and it has a 2″ Molex flexible 4 conductor type (1 mm pitch) cable.

Typical specifications for a suitable OFS in the present invention application context are as follows:

Rated Output (RO) 2.3 mV/V nominal Capacity (lb/N) 10/44.5 Safe overload 100% of RO Zero balance ±5% of RO Excitation (VDC or VAC) 18 MAX Bridge resistance 1000 Ω nominal Nonlinearity ±0.2% of RO Hysteresis ±0.2% of RO Nonrepeatability ±0.1% of RO Temperature shift zero ±0.03% of RO [0.05% of RO/° C.] Temperature shift span ±0.03% of LOAD [0.05% of LOAD/° C.] Compensated temperature 60 to 160° F. [−50 to 93° C.] Weight 3 oz [85 g] Material aluminum Deflection 0.01 [0.25 mm] nominal Cable MOLEX flex cable type A, 1 mm pitch, 4 conductor, 2-in [50.8 mm] long

Exemplary Optical Separator Bracket (OSB) (6500)-(8000)

A preferred exemplary embodiment of a typical optical separator bracket (OSB) is generally depicted in the detail views presented in FIG. 65 (6500)-FIG. 80 (8000).

Exemplary Optical Window Retainer (OWR) (8100)-(9600)

A preferred exemplary embodiment of a typical optical window retainer (OWR) is generally depicted in the detail views presented in FIG. 81 (8100)-FIG. 96 (9600).

Exemplary Ocular Patient Interface (OPI) (9700)-(11200)

A preferred exemplary embodiment of a typical ocular patient interface (OPI) is generally depicted in the detail views presented in FIG. 97 (9700)-FIG. 112 (11200).

Exemplary Ocular Suction Ring (OSR) (11300)-(12800)

A preferred exemplary embodiment of a typical ocular suction ring (OSR) is generally depicted in the detail views presented in FIG. 113 (11300)-FIG. 128 (12800).

The OSR comprises a mating contact ring (MCR) (11361, 11362) configured to mate with a corresponding mating contact surface (MCS) (10325, 10326) on the OPI.

The OSR further comprises an outer contact ring (OCR) configured to mate with a patient eye surface (PES) and an inner contact ring (ICR) (11464) configured to mate with the PES. The total surface contact area of the OCR (11463) and ICR (11464) is larger than that of conventional LOI and as such reduces the surface pressure on the PES during ophthalmic laser treatment. This larger surface contact area reduces the chance of damage to the PES during the ophthalmic laser treatment process and drastically improves the comfort level of the patient during the treatment process.

The OCR forms an outer elliptical cylindrical tube (OET) having an outer ellipse major axis (OEJ) and an outer ellipse minor axis (OEN) that configure the OCR with an outer ellipse eccentricity (OEE) greater than zero. The ICR forms an inner elliptical cylindrical tube (IET) having an inner ellipse major axis (IEJ) and an inner ellipse minor axis (IEN) that configure the ICR with an inner ellipse eccentricity (IEE) greater than zero.

The OEJ is coincident with the IEJ and the OEN is coincident with the IEN.

The OET comprises an outer distal peripheral edge (ODE) (11565) that is longitudinally curved to conform to the PES. The IET comprises an inner distal peripheral edge (IDE) (11566) that is longitudinally curved to conform to the PES;

The OCR and the ICR are joined together with a contact ring radius (CRR) (11567) to form a patient eye vacuum chamber (EVC) when the PES is simultaneously contacted with the ODE and the IDE.

A number of radial ribs (11568) may be incorporated between the ODE (11565) and the CRR (11567) to stabilize the ODE (11565) and provide uniform pressure across the PES without damaging the patient eye during treatment.

Preferred Embodiment System Summary

The present invention preferred exemplary system embodiment anticipates a wide variety of variations in the basic theme of construction, but can be generalized as an ophthalmic laser treatment system comprising:

(a) ocular suction ring (OSR);

(b) ocular patient interface (OPI);

(c) optical window retainer (OWR);

(d) optical separator bracket (OSB);

(e) ocular force sensor (OFS);

(f) laser objective bracket (LOB);

(g) vacuum suction pump (VSP); and

(h) computer control device (CCD);

wherein:

-   -   the OSR comprises a mating contact ring (MCR) configured to mate         with a corresponding mating contact surface (MCS) on the OPI;     -   the OSR further comprises an outer contact ring (OCR) configured         to mate with a patient eye surface (PES);     -   the OSR further comprises an inner contact ring (ICR) configured         to mate with the PES;     -   the OCR forms an outer elliptical cylindrical tube (OET) having         an outer ellipse major axis (OEJ) and an outer ellipse minor         axis (OEN) that configure the OCR with an outer ellipse         eccentricity (OEE) greater than zero;     -   the ICR forms an inner elliptical cylindrical tube (IET) having         an inner ellipse major axis (IEJ) and an inner ellipse minor         axis (IEN) that configure the ICR with an inner ellipse         eccentricity (IEE) greater than zero;     -   the OEJ is coincident with the IEJ;     -   the OEN is coincident with the IEN;     -   the OET comprises an outer distal peripheral edge (ODE) that is         longitudinally curved to conform to the PES;     -   the IET comprises an inner distal peripheral edge (IDE) that is         longitudinally curved to conform to the PES;     -   the OCR and the ICR are joined together with a contact ring         radius (CRR) to form a patient eye vacuum chamber (EVC) when the         PES is simultaneously contacted with the ODE and the IDE;     -   the OPI comprises a conical mating surface (CMS) configured to         mate with a corresponding vacuum mating surface (VMS) on the OWR         and provide for a vacuum docking void (VDV) between the CMS and         the VMS;     -   the OPI is configured to dynamically mate to the OWR when vacuum         is applied to the VDV;     -   the OPI further comprises a docking vacuum port (DVP), a suction         vacuum port (SVP), and a liquid injection port (LIP);     -   the OPI is configured to retain a liquid interface window (LIW)         concentric with the MCS;     -   the VSP is configured to supply controlled differential vacuum         to the DVP and the SVP;     -   the DVP is connected to the VDV;     -   the OWR is mechanically coupled to the OSB;     -   the OSB is mechanically coupled to the OFS;     -   the OFS is configured to sense pressure applied to the PES by         the OSR via measurement of deflections of the OFS caused by         application of mechanical force by the PES through the OSR, the         OPI, the OWR, and the OSB;     -   the LOB is configured to retain a laser radiation source (LRS);     -   the LRS is configured to direct laser radiation through the OWR,         and the EVC to the PES; and     -   the CCD is configured to control operation of the LRS, monitor         pressure readings from the OFS, and monitor applied vacuum         pressure to the PES by the VSP.

This general system summary may be augmented by the various elements described herein to produce a wide variety of invention embodiments consistent with this overall design description.

Preferred Embodiment Method Summary

The present invention preferred exemplary method embodiment anticipates a wide variety of variations in the basic theme of implementation, but can be generalized as an ophthalmic laser treatment method, the method operating in conjunction with an ophthalmic laser treatment system comprising:

(a) ocular suction ring (OSR);

(b) ocular patient interface (OPI);

(c) optical window retainer (OWR);

(d) optical separator bracket (OSB);

(e) ocular force sensor (OFS);

(f) laser objective bracket (LOB);

(g) vacuum suction pump (VSP); and

(h) computer control device (CCD);

wherein:

-   -   the OSR comprises a mating contact ring (MCR) configured to mate         with a corresponding mating contact surface (MCS) on the OPI;     -   the OSR further comprises an outer contact ring (OCR) configured         to mate with a patient eye surface (PES);     -   the OSR further comprises an inner contact ring (ICR) configured         to mate with the PES;     -   the OCR forms an outer elliptical cylindrical tube (OET) having         an outer ellipse major axis (OEJ) and an outer ellipse minor         axis (OEN) that configure the OCR with an outer ellipse         eccentricity (OEE) greater than zero;     -   the ICR forms an inner elliptical cylindrical tube (IET) having         an inner ellipse major axis (IEJ) and an inner ellipse minor         axis (IEN) that configure the ICR with an inner ellipse         eccentricity (IEE) greater than zero;     -   the OEJ is coincident with the IEJ;     -   the OEN is coincident with the IEN;     -   the OET comprises an outer distal peripheral edge (ODE) that is         longitudinally curved to conform to the PES;     -   the IET comprises an inner distal peripheral edge (IDE) that is         longitudinally curved to conform to the PES;     -   the OCR and the ICR are joined together with a contact ring         radius (CRR) to form a patient eye vacuum chamber (EVC) when the         PES is simultaneously contacted with the ODE and the IDE;     -   the OPI comprises a conical mating surface (CMS) configured to         mate with a corresponding vacuum mating surface (VMS) on the OWR         and provide for a vacuum docking void (VDV) between the CMS and         the VMS;     -   the OPI is configured to dynamically mate to the OWR when vacuum         is applied to the VDV;     -   the OPI further comprises a docking vacuum port (DVP), a suction         vacuum port (SVP), and a liquid injection port (LIP);     -   the OPI is configured to retain a liquid interface window (LIW)         concentric with the MCS;     -   the VSP is configured to supply controlled differential vacuum         to the DVP and the SVP;     -   the DVP is connected to the VDV;     -   the OWR is mechanically coupled to the OSB;     -   the OSB is mechanically coupled to the OFS;     -   the OFS is configured to sense pressure applied to the PES by         the OSR via measurement of deflections of the OFS caused by         application of mechanical force by the PES through the OSR, the         OPI, the OWR, and the OSB;     -   the LOB is configured to retain a laser radiation source (LRS);     -   the LRS is configured to direct laser radiation through the OWR         and the EVC to the PES; and     -   the CCD is configured to control operation of the LRS, monitor         pressure readings from the OFS, and monitor applied vacuum         pressure to the PES by the VSP;     -   wherein the method comprises the steps of:     -   (1) Connecting a suction tube to the OPI;     -   (2) Setting vacuum pressure on the VSP;     -   (3) Activating the VSP to vacuum mate the OSR to the PES;     -   (4) Positioning the LPI to mate the OSR onto the PES;     -   (5) Under control of the CCD, monitoring vacuum pressure to the         PES by reading vacuum measurements obtained from a vacuum gauge         connected to the VSP;     -   (6) Under control of the CCD, monitoring applied pressure to the         PES by reading pressure measurements obtained by the OFS;     -   (7) Docking the OWR to the OPI;     -   (8) Activate a docking ring vacuum with the VSP;     -   (9) Injecting a balanced liquid solution (BLS) into the LIP of         the OPI;     -   (10) Performing ophthalmic laser surgery with a laser radiation         source (LRS) operated by the CCD and positioned by the LOB;     -   (11) Dejecting the BLS using the LIP of the OPI;     -   (12) Opening an OPI vacuum relief valve (OPI-VRV) in the VSP to         disengage the OWR from the OPI;     -   (13) Opening an OSR vacuum relief valve (OSR-VRV) in the VSP to         disengage the OSR from the PES;     -   (14) Undocking the OWR from the OPI; and     -   (15) Undocking the OSR from the PES.         One skilled in the art will recognize that these method steps         may be augmented or rearranged without limiting the teachings of         the present invention. This general method summary may be         augmented by the various elements described herein to produce a         wide variety of invention embodiments consistent with this         overall design description.

System/Method Variations

The present invention anticipates a wide variety of variations in the basic theme of construction. The examples presented previously do not represent the entire scope of possible usages. They are meant to cite a few of the almost limitless possibilities.

This basic system and method may be augmented with a variety of ancillary embodiments, including but not limited to:

-   -   An embodiment wherein the OSR further comprises one or more         radial ribs connecting the OCR and the CRR and configured to         contact said PES.     -   An embodiment wherein the OSR further comprises four radial ribs         connecting the OCR and the CRR and configured to contact said         PES.     -   An embodiment wherein the OEJ has a length in the range from 20         mm to 25 mm.     -   An embodiment wherein the OEJ has a length of 23 mm.     -   An embodiment wherein the OEN has a length in the range from 17         mm to 21 mm.     -   An embodiment wherein the OEN has a length of 19 mm.     -   An embodiment wherein the VSP further comprises a vacuum         regulator configured to limit suction force applied by the OSR         to the PES.     -   An embodiment wherein the OPI further comprises a liquid         overflow chamber (LOC) configured to accept fluid injected from         the LIP that overflows coverage of the PES.     -   An embodiment wherein the OPI further comprises a liquid         overflow port (LOP) configured to emit fluid injected from the         LIP that overflows containment by the LOC.

One skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments are possible based on combinations of elements taught within the above invention description. The present invention anticipates that any combination of the above embodiments and their individual elements may be constructed and be considered the scope of the disclosed invention.

Generalized Computer Usable Medium

In various alternate embodiments, the present invention may be implemented as a computer program product for use with a computerized computing system. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that programs defining the functions defined by the present invention can be written in any appropriate programming language and delivered to a computer in many forms, including but not limited to: (a) information permanently stored on non-writeable storage media (e.g., read-only memory devices such as ROMs or CD-ROM disks); (b) information alterably stored on writeable storage media (e.g., hard disks and USB thumb drives); and/or (c) information conveyed to a computer through communication media, such as a local area network, a telephone network, or a public network such as the Internet. When carrying computer readable instructions that implement the present invention methods, such computer readable media represent alternate embodiments of the present invention.

As generally illustrated herein, the present invention system embodiments can incorporate a variety of computer readable media that comprise computer usable medium having computer readable code means embodied therein. One skilled in the art will recognize that the software associated with the various processes described herein can be embodied in a wide variety of computer accessible media from which the software is loaded and activated. Pursuant to In re Beauregard, 35 USPQ2d 1383 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,578), the present invention anticipates and includes this type of computer readable media within the scope of the invention. Pursuant to In re Nuijten, 500 F.3d 1346 (Fed. Cir. 2007) (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/211,928), the present invention scope is limited to computer readable media wherein the media is both tangible and non-transitory.

CONCLUSION

An ophthalmic laser treatment system and method providing for a liquid optical interface (LOI) with a patient eye surface (PES) using an elliptical ocular suction ring (OSR) has been disclosed. A disposable ocular patient interface (OPI) provides for simultaneous differential vacuum mating of the PES, OSR, OPI, and an optical window retainer (OWR). The PES, OSR, OPI, and OWR form an enclosed volume in which liquid may be interjected to cover the PES during laser treatment. A vacuum suction pump (VSP) provides controlled vacuum to the OPI ensuring proper differential vacuum mating (DVM) between the PES, OSR, OPI, and OWR during laser treatment. The OWR connects to a laser objective bracket (LOB) via an ocular force sensor (OFS) and an optical separator bracket (OSB). The OFS senses applied pressure to the PES and provides data to a computerized control device (CCD) that limits applied pressure to the PES during laser treatment. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An interface for an ophthalmic laser treatment system comprising: (a) ocular suction ring (OSR); (h) ocular force sensor (OH); (c) vacuum suction pump (VSP); and (d) computer control device (CCD); wherein: said ocular suction ring (OSR) further comprises an outer contact ring (OCR) having a generally elliptical shape and configured to mate with a patient eye surface (PES); said ocular suction ring (OSR) further comprises an inner contact ring (ICR) having a generally elliptical shape and configured to mate with said patient eye surface (PES); said ocular suction ring (OSR) comprises an outer distal peripheral edge (ODE) that is longitudinally curved to conform to said patient eye surface (PES); said ocular suction ring (OSR) comprises an inner distal peripheral edge (IDE) that is longitudinally curved to conform to said patient eye surface (PES); said outer contact ring (OCR) and said inner contact ring (ICR) are joined together with a contact ring radius (CRR) to form a patient eye vacuum chamber (EVC) when said patient eye surface (PES) is simultaneously contacted with said distal peripheral edge (ODE) and said inner distal peripheral edge (IDE); said vacuum suction pump (VSP) is configured to supply controlled differential vacuum to said patient eye vacuum chamber (EVC); said ocular force sensor (OFS) is configured to sense pressure applied to said patient eye surface (PES) by said ocular suction ring (OSR) via measurement of deflections of said ocular force sensor (OFS); and said computer control device (CCD) is configured to control operation of a laser radiation source (LRS), monitor pressure readings from said ocular force sensor (OFS), and monitor applied vacuum pressure to said patient eye surface (PES) by said vacuum suction pump (VSP).
 2. The ophthalmic laser treatment system interface of claim 1 wherein said ocular suction ring (OSR) further comprises one or more radial ribs connecting said outer contact ring (OCR) and said contact ring radius (CRR) and configured to contact said patient eye surface (PES).
 3. The ophthalmic laser treatment system interface of claim 1 wherein said ocular suction ring (OSR) further comprises four radial ribs connecting said outer contact ring (OCR) and said contact ring radius (CRR) and configured to contact said patient eye surface (PES).
 4. The ophthalmic laser treatment system interface of claim 1 wherein said outer contact ring (OCR) comprises an outer ellipse major axis (OEJ) having a length in the range from 20 mm to 25 mm.
 5. The ophthalmic laser treatment system interface of claim 1 wherein said outer contact ring (OCR) comprises an outer ellipse major axis (OEJ) having a length of 23 mm.
 6. The ophthalmic laser treatment system interface of claim 1 wherein said outer contact ring (OCR) comprises an outer ellipse minor axis (OEN) having a length in the range from 17 mm to 21 mm.
 7. The ophthalmic laser treatment system interface of claim 1 wherein said outer contact ring (OCR) comprises an outer ellipse minor axis (OEN) having a length of 19 mm.
 8. The ophthalmic laser treatment system interface of claim 1 wherein said vacuum suction pump (VSP) further comprises a vacuum regulator configured to limit suction force applied by said ocular suction ring (OSR) to said patient eye surface (PES).
 9. The ophthalmic laser treatment system interface of claim 1 further comprising an ocular patient interface (OPI) having a docking vacuum port (DVP), a suction vacuum port (SVP), and a liquid injection port (LIP), wherein said ocular patient interface (OPI) further comprises a liquid overflow chamber (LOC) configured to accept fluid injected from said liquid injection port (LIP) that overflows coverage of said patient eye surface (PES).
 10. The ophthalmic laser treatment system interface of claim 9 wherein said ocular patient interface (OPI) further comprises a liquid overflow port (LOP) configured to emit fluid injected from said liquid injection port (LIP) that overflows containment by said liquid overflow chamber (LOC).
 11. An ophthalmic laser treatment method, said method operating an interface for an ophthalmic laser treatment system comprising: (a) ocular suction ring (OSR) (b) ocular force sensor (OFS); (c) vacuum suction pump (VSP); (d) computer control device (CCD); and (e) a laser radiation source (LRS); wherein: said ocular suction ring (OSR) further comprises an outer contact ring (OCR) having a generally elliptical shape and configured to mate with a patient eye surface (PES); said ocular suction ring (OSR) further comprises an inner contact ring (ICR) having a generally elliptical shape and configured to mate with said patient eye surface (PES); said ocular suction ring (OSR) comprises an outer distal peripheral edge (ODE) that is longitudinally curved to conform to said patient eye surface (PES); said ocular suction ring (OSR) comprises an inner distal peripheral edge (IDE) that is longitudinally curved to conform to said patient eye surface (PES); said outer contact ring (OCR) and said inner contact ring (ICR) are joined together with a contact ring radius (CRR) to form a patient eye vacuum chamber (EVC) when said patient eye surface (PES) is simultaneously contacted with said distal peripheral edge (ODE) and said inner distal peripheral edge (IDE); said vacuum suction pump (VSP) is configured to supply controlled differential vacuum to said patient eye vacuum chamber (EVC); said ocular force sensor (OFS) is configured to sense pressure applied to said patient eye surface (PES) by said ocular suction ring (OSR) via measurement of deflections of said ocular force sensor (OFS); and said computer control device (CCD) is configured to control operation of said laser radiation source (LRS), monitor pressure readings from said ocular force sensor (OFS), and monitor and control applied vacuum pressure to said patient eye surface (PES) by said vacuum suction pump (VSP); wherein said method comprises the steps of: (1) Connecting said vacuum suction pump (VSP) to said patient eye vacuum chamber (EVC); (2) Setting vacuum pressure on said vacuum suction pump (VSP); (3) Positioning said ocular suction ring (OSR) onto said patient eye surface (PES); (4) Activating said vacuum suction pump (VSP) to vacuum mate said ocular suction ring (OSR) to said patient eye surface (PES); (5) Under control of said computer control device (CCD), monitoring vacuum pressure to said patient eye surface (PES) by reading vacuum measurements obtained from a vacuum gauge connected to said vacuum suction pump (VSP); (6) Under control of said computer control device (CCD), monitoring applied pressure to said patient eye surface (PES) by reading pressure measurements obtained by said ocular force sensor (OFS); (7) Performing ophthalmic laser surgery with said a laser radiation source (LRS) operated by said computer control device (CCD) and positioned by said laser objective bracket (LOB); (8) Opening an ocular suction ring vacuum relief valve (OSR-VRV) in said vacuum suction pump (VSP) to disengage said ocular suction ring (OSR) from said patient eye surface (PBS); (9) Undocking said ocular suction ring (OSR) from said patient eye surface (PES).
 12. The ophthalmic laser treatment method of claim 11 wherein said ocular suction ring (OSR) further comprises one or more radial ribs connecting said outer contact ring (OCR) and said contact ring radius (CRR) and configured to contact said patient eye surface (PES).
 13. The ophthalmic laser treatment method of claim 11 wherein said ocular suction ring (OSR) further comprises four radial ribs connecting said outer contact ring (OCR) and said contact ring radius (CRR) and configured to contact said patient eye surface (PES).
 14. The ophthalmic laser treatment method of claim 11 wherein said outer contact ring (OCR) comprises an outer ellipse major axis (OEJ) having a length in the range from 20 mm to 25 mm.
 15. The ophthalmic laser treatment method of claim 11 wherein said outer contact ring (OCR) comprises an outer ellipse major axis (OEJ) having a length of 23 mm.
 16. The ophthalmic laser treatment method of claim 11 wherein said outer contact ring (OCR) comprises an outer ellipse minor axis (OEN) having a length in the range from 17 mm to 21 mm.
 17. The ophthalmic laser treatment method of claim 11 wherein said outer contact ring (OCR) comprises an outer ellipse minor axis (OEN) having a length of 19 mm.
 18. The ophthalmic laser treatment method of claim 11 wherein said vacuum suction pump (VSP) further comprises a vacuum regulator configured to limit suction force applied by said ocular suction ring (OSR) to said patient eye surface (PES).
 19. The ophthalmic laser treatment method of claim 11 further comprising an ocular patient interface (OPI) having a docking vacuum port (DVP), a suction vacuum port (SVP), and a liquid injection port (LIP), wherein said ocular patient interface (OPI) further comprises a liquid overflow chamber (LOC) configured to accept fluid injected from said liquid injection port (LIP) that overflows coverage of said patient eye surface (PES); and wherein the method further comprising the step of injecting a balanced liquid solution (BLS) into said liquid injection port (LIP) of said ocular patient interface (OPI) prior to performing said ophthalmic laser surgery.
 20. The ophthalmic laser treatment method of claim 19 wherein said ocular patient interface (OPI) further comprises a liquid overflow port (LOP) configured to emit fluid injected from said liquid injection port (LIP) that overflows containment by said liquid overflow chamber (LOC).
 21. A tangible non-transitory computer usable medium having computer-readable program code means embodied thereon comprising an ophthalmic laser treatment method, said method operating an interface for an ophthalmic laser treatment system comprising: (a) ocular suction ring (OSR); (b) ocular force sensor (OFS); (c) vacuum suction pump (VSP); (d) computer control device (CCD); (e) a laser radiation source (LRS); wherein: said ocular suction ring (OSR) further comprises an outer contact ring (OCR) having a generally elliptical shape and configured to mate with a patient eye surface (PES); said ocular suction ring (OSR) further comprises an inner contact ring (ICR) having a generally elliptical shape and configured to mate with said patient eye surface (PES); said ocular suction ring (OSR) comprises an outer distal peripheral edge (ODE) that is longitudinally curved to conform to said patient eye surface (PES); said ocular suction ring (OSR) comprises an inner distal peripheral edge (IDE) that is longitudinally curved to conform to said patient eye surface (PES); said outer contact ring (OCR) and said inner contact ring (ICR) are joined together with a contact ring radius (CRR) to form a patient eye vacuum chamber (EVC) when said patient eye surface (PES) is simultaneously contacted with said distal peripheral edge (ODE) and said inner distal peripheral edge (IDE)); said vacuum suction pump (VSP) is configured to supply controlled differential vacuum to said patient eye vacuum chamber (EVC); said ocular force sensor (OFS) is configured to sense pressure applied to said patient eye surface (PES) by said ocular suction ring (OSR) via measurement of deflections of said ocular force sensor (OFS); and said computer control device (CCD) is configured to control operation of said laser radiation source (LRS), monitor pressure readings from said ocular force sensor (OFS), and monitor and control applied vacuum pressure to said patient eye surface (PES) by said vacuum suction pump (VSP); wherein said method comprises the steps of: (1) Connecting said vacuum suction pump (VSP) to said patient eye vacuum chamber (EVC); (2) Setting vacuum pressures on said vacuum suction pump (VSP); (3) Positioning said ocular suction ring (OSR) onto said patient eye surface (PES); (4) Activating said vacuum suction pump (VSP) to vacuum mate said ocular suction ring (OSR) to said patient eye surface (PES); (5) Under control of said computer control device (CCD), monitoring vacuum pressure to said patient eye surface (PES) by reading vacuum measurements obtained from a vacuum gauge connected to said vacuum suction pump (VSP); (6) Under control of said computer control device (CCD), monitoring applied pressure to said patient eye surface (PES) by reading pressure measurements obtained by said ocular force sensor (OFS); (7) Performing ophthalmic laser surgery with said a laser radiation source (LRS) operated by said computer control device (CCD) and positioned by said laser objective bracket (LOB); (8) Undocking said ocular suction ring (OSR) from said patient eye surface (PES).
 22. The computer usable medium of claim 21 wherein said ocular suction ring (OSR) further comprises one or more radial ribs connecting said outer contact ring (OCR) and said contact ring radius (CRR) and configured to contact said patient eye surface (PES).
 23. The computer usable medium of claim 21 wherein said ocular suction ring (OSR) further comprises four radial ribs connecting said outer contact ring (OCR) and said contact ring radius (CRR) and configured to contact said patient eye surface (PES).
 24. The computer usable medium of claim 21 wherein said outer contact ring (OCR) comprises an outer ellipse major axis (OEJ) having a length in the range from 20 mm to 25 mm.
 25. The computer usable medium of claim 21 wherein said outer contact ring (OCR) comprises an outer ellipse major axis (OEJ) having a length of 23 mm.
 26. The computer usable medium of claim 21 Wherein said outer contact ring (OCR) comprises an outer ellipse minor axis (OEN) having a length in the range from 17 mm to 21 mm.
 27. The computer usable medium of claim 21 wherein said outer contact ring (OCR) comprises an outer ellipse minor axis (OEN) having a length of 19 mm.
 28. The computer usable medium of claim 21 wherein said vacuum suction pump (VSP) further comprises a vacuum regulator configured to limit suction force applied by said ocular suction ring (OSR) to said patient eye surface (PES).
 29. The computer usable medium of claim 21, wherein said interface for an ophthalmic laser treatment system further comprises an ocular patient interface (OPI) having a docking vacuum port (PVP), a suction vacuum port (SVP), and a liquid injection port (LIP), and said ocular patient interface (OPI) further comprises a liquid overflow chamber (LOC) configured to accept fluid injected from said liquid injection port (LIP) that overflows coverage of said patient eye surface (PES); and wherein the method further comprising the step of injecting a balanced liquid solution (BLS) into said liquid injection port (LIP) of said ocular patient interface (OPI) prior to performing said ophthalmic laser surgery.
 30. The computer usable medium of claim 29 wherein said ocular patient interface (OPI) further comprises a liquid overflow port (LOP) configured to emit fluid injected from said liquid injection port (LIP) that overflows containment by said liquid overflow chamber (LOC). 